The Russian invasion of Ukraine had significant consequences on international politics. In a globalized world, the logic of blocs began to prevail with Russia in the Chinese orbit and Europe in the American one. This conflict has also accelerated the consolidation of the large blocs in several regions, such as Central Asia, Africa and the Indo-Pacific. Powers such as China, the European Union, the United States, Russia and Turkey have been quietly fighting for economic, military and diplomatic influence in these areas. The bottom line is that everything has become a weapon, like energy, data, infrastructure and migration.
The Middle East region is undergoing significant changes in its political dynamics and international relations. Recently, there has been a rapprochement between Iran and Saudi Arabia, two historically opposed countries, which have decided to resume diplomatic relations broken since 2016. This rapprochement has been driven by China, which has managed to get both countries to agree to reopen embassies and reactivate security cooperation. This rapprochement between Iran and Saudi Arabia could have an impact on other conflicts in the region, such as the war in Yemen, where both countries play an important role. Similarly, the situation in Lebanon, which is suffering from a serious political, economic and social crisis, could be affected by the support they receive from each country for opposing political formations.
The African factor is a key piece in the new world order that is taking shape. France’s removal from the map of African influence is being rewarded by China’s presence. According to data from the China-Africa Research Initiative at Johns Hopkins University, Africa accumulates a debt of 153,000 million dollars with China thanks to the 1,143 loans that China has granted to African governments.
In this sense, China’s presence in Africa has been massive and has had a significant impact on the economy and politics of the region. However, there are also concerns about debt and its influence on decision-making in African countries. The lack of European presence on the continent can be explained by the complex postcolonialism.
In conclusion, the world is at a time of significant change, and it is important that countries and international organizations adapt to this new reality. The consolidation of large blocs around China and the United States, the Chinese presence in Africa and the changes in the Middle East are just a few examples of the challenges facing the world today. The European Union must reflect on its role in the new world order and seek new alternatives in strategic areas to reduce its dependence on the United States and seek a more active role on the international stage.
